The Gist:
Bruce Wayne (Affleck,) a shadow of what he used to be, fears that it’s only a matter of time before Superman turns threatens mankind and must stop him no matter the cost. On the other side of the pond (literally), Superman (Cavill) is regarded as both a saviour and a menace.
The Review:
A few years ago at the San Diego Comic-Con, Zack Snyder appeared onstage alongside Harry Lennix announcing Batman v Superman by reading a passage from Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns. There was a slight tingling of excitement at the announcement then a bit of panic since DKR is quite a dark comic and features a Bruce Wayne that has given up on humanity as well as himself. Now its obvious DC are going their own dark anti-Marvel route with the rumoured no jokes policy which has many, myself included be rather sceptical. By all means, Returns is an amazing graphic novel, but would it work as a movie? Maybe in the future but not now. Unlike the graphic novel however, this isn’t solely Batman’s gig, there’s a lot and I mean a lot of other things going on here so let’s get down to it.
First things first, yes people, the filmmakers have heard your constant whines over Man of Steel’s climactic battle which I found rather ridiculous since if anyone has ever watched an episode of Justice League Animated, whenever Superman fights a big bad or even Shazam, buildings fall and cities are levelled and no one said a damn thing.
Anyway I digress, the film opens with Bruce racing through Metropolis dodging debris and falling buildings while Superman and Zod battle above. It’s thrilling and to be honest, this would have made Man of Steel a little better if they included this bit in the actual movie rather than watch the two fly back and forth for twenty or so minutes. So, understandably since the building Zod burnt to the ground was one of Wayne’s buildings, Bruce is pissed at Superman who’s still flying around saving people and the love of his life, Lois Lane who is given a bit more to do here.
On the other hand we have Lex Luthor played by Jesse Eisenberg who appears to have had one too many candies as he races through his lines, going on about some gobbledegook about angels and demons. (Seriously enough with the symbolism!) Unlike Bruce, Luthor is more or less jealous of Superman’s abilities, maybe, to be fair the root of his hatred isn’t much explored. Instead that’s left for Affleck, brooding through his scenes.
And here’s the kicker, we all know how controversial the casting of Affleck was even damn he looks the closest to the comic book Bruce Wayne. Personally Affleck is the second best Bruce Wayne after Christian Bale. To be fair, Bale did have a larger and emotional script to work off. Here, Wayne is old and weathered with salt and pepper hair, his mansion has seen better days.
Jeremy Irons is not the funniest but by far the coolest cinematic Alfred who this time around is a mechanic and the guy behind a big computer screen that guides our hero to his next destination, as well as butler. He along with Laurence Fishburne are the only two given a few jokes here and there but since the film is so brooding and dark, they were easily missed. Now although I said Affleck is the second best Bruce Wayne, he is by far hands down the best Batman, it takes nearly an hour of screen time to see him don the suit but when he does, it really is as if he’s been doing this for years. One major complaint I did have with Nolan’s Dark Knight series were the fight-scenes. Either they were shot horribly or just needed better choreography, say what you want about Zack Snyder though, the guy can direct an action scene. Gone are the slo-mo scenes but replaced with Batman taking on a room full of enemies knocking them down in brutal Watchmen style fashion. If you haven’t heard, there will be an R rated Blu-ray release so expect some bones popping out and extreme blood spatters since this Batman is by far the most brutal, not only does he break bones but he outright brands villains with a red hot Batman logo.
As for Cavill’s Superman, this time around he has been given more dialogue and a personality to match. Remember Man of Steel when he hardly said a damn thing? Well here, he’s given a lot of things to say as he struggles with being Superman and it’s handled rather well. He doesn’t necessarily mope about his powers being a curse which has reached levels of hair tearing annoyance in other films, but due to the fact that half the planet hates him for what happened, it puts him at odds with himself. But with Luthor slowly putting together his master plan which involves a former Wayne employee and Holly Hunter in a glorified cameo, the inevitable showdown is right around the corner.
When it does happen, the reasons as to why did make me slightly relieved. In the comics, Superman is used as a weapon by the military and is ordered to shut down Batman, here its slightly different and for the better. As mentioned, Snyder knows his action and is a visualist so like Man of Steel, the last forty minutes to an hour is just non-stop action with a slight adrenaline raising pause when Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman makes her appearance accompanied by Junkie XL and Hans Zimmer’s overblown crank it up to 11 score. Gadot has some scenes with Wayne throughout the movie but her appearance is left to the finale and it does pay off. I don’t think she steals the movie as some have said but her appearance is welcomed and whatever doubts I had about her have vanished.
The Verdict:
Rest assured, this is a major improvement from Man of Steel, acknowledging people’s complaints and acting on them as well as a welcome return to the colour palette. Writer Chris Terrio has added some much needed heart and character to the series as well as setting the foundations for the future of the DCEU. Be prepared for some epic titanic battles.
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